Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 Electric Review & Prices

Small Mercedes-AMGs have always been rabid little things with powerful engines, but the all-electric CLA 45 is a total departure from its petrol-powered predecessor. It’s still a rapid small saloon car with a swoopy design, but now it produces a mighty 700hp from its trio of electric motors. Unfortunately, the equally mighty amount of screens inside the cabin will be overwhelming for some.

It’s a bit like replacing your favourite kitchen knife with a Ninja CrushBOSS 3-in-1 Kitchen System. Yes, the new appliance is far more powerful and effective on paper, but there’s a distinct lack of charm to it at the same time.

Though, unlike a kitchen appliance, there’s a distinct lack of direct alternatives to the CLA 45 AMG. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is near enough the same recipe, but the Tesla Model 3 Performance is less posh and the BMW i4 M50 is less powerful. The Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-tron GT are worth a look, but both feature price tags that put them in a different league to the CLA 45.

It’s a funky-looking thing, the Mercedes-AMG. In a subtle colour you’d be hard-pressed to tell it apart from a non-AMG version, unless you notice the vertical ‘grille’ strakes, 20-inch wheels and big brake calipers. In a rather stingy touch, where even the entry-level CLA Electric features a front light bar, you need to pay £500 to have one on the AMG model. What’s that all about?

The interior is just as subtle, with the same sports seats as in the non-AMG cars, though you can opt for black leather with yellow stitching here. That means an almost upright dashboard flanked by turbine-like air vents. Upper-trim level models come with bucket seats and the triple-display dashboard.

If the software is similar to the regular CLA, that means lightning-quick responsiveness and clear menus, but climate controls that are fiddly to use on the go.

Material quality should be high, too, with convincing leatherette and soft-touch plastics abound. Again, as with the regular CLA, there should be plenty of interior space up front, though back seat room could be compromised by the sloping roofline and unsupportive rear bench.

The 390-litre boot is a smidge down on the 405-litre fare in the regular CLA Electric, and massively down on the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 Performance. The 101-litre front boot is very handy, though.

For a more load-friendly version you should check out the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake Electric instead, a mouthful of words that translates to ‘CLA 45 Estate’.

A 94kWh battery - the same as a GLC Electric SUV - means 405 miles of claimed range, which is about 80 miles down on the non-AMG CLA. In the real world and with liberal use of the powerful motors you’ll likely see a good chunk less than that, as even the regular version struggles to match its claim.

We have yet to get our hands on the CLA 45 Electric, but we’ll update this review with our driving impressions once we’ve put it through its paces in the UK.

In the meantime, check out the latest Carwow deals on the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Electric, as well as CLA 45 Electric lease offers. There are other Mercedes models to browse through our trusted dealer network, as well as a plethora of used Mercedes examples for sale. Remember to sell your current car through Carwow, too.

Starting at just under £67,000, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Electric is around £1,000 more expensive than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and £7,000 more than a Tesla Model 3 Performance, but around £4,000 less than the ageing BMW i4 M50.

Entry-level GLA 45 Touring Edition cars feature the 680hp, tri-motor setup, a glass roof, active boot spoiler, heated front seats, LED lights and rear privacy glass.

Premium Plus versions aren’t any more powerful but cost a mighty £12,000 more. For that you get trim-specific alloy wheels, red brake calipers, a Burmester sound system, ‘Superscreen’ triple-display dashboard, sportier bucket seats and a driving package that adds track day tools such as a dedicated drive mode and a drift function.